99--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY FABRICATION OF FIBER-METAL LAMINATES WITHNON-AUTOCLAVE PROCESSES

NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. THE TECHNOLOGY: Scientists at NASA Langley Research Center have developed enables the preparation of metal/composite hybrid laminates, also known as fiber-metal laminates (FML), through a one-step processing method. Currently FMLs are prepared by a compression process using a press or autoclave with metallic layers sandwiched between layers of glass or graphite prepreg (preimpregnated fibers with a matrix resin). NASAs process essentially eliminates the need to produce prepreg prior to the production of a hybrid laminate. It also allows the production of large, net shape structures that were previously not possible with autoclave or press technologies due to size constraints. Essentially, it involves an infusion process whereby matrix resin transversely infiltrates fiber layers that have been sandwiched between plies of metal foil containing flow pathways to produce a metal/composite hybrid laminate. The infiltration can be accomplished using pressure (resin transfer molding [RTM]), or a vacuum induced pressure differential (vacuum assisted resin transfer molding [VARTM]). To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. Please also provide the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at http://technology.nasa.gov/ . These responses are provided to members of NASA Langleys Office of Strategic Analysis and Business Development OSACB for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, OSACB will follow the required formal licensing process of posting in the Federal Register. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.